SECRET
The Americans would not want to discuss the FPDA without
discussing arrangements for the Indian Ocean area as a
whole, especially while Diego Garcia is still unsettled
Nor do I want to rush our fences with our FPDA partners.
And before we speak to Mintoff we would need to clear our
lines with our NATO allies who contribute more than half of
the £14m 'rent' to the Maltese Government. We should also
have a detailed timetable for our run-down and be absolutely
sure that it is consistent with our obligations under the
Military Agreement; I see no point in risking premature
misunderstandings or arguments with him.
Perhaps we can leave it until after the next OPD
discussion to consider how much can be said to Cabinet
colleagues, the National Executive Committee and in public.
I am sending copies of this letter to Denis Ilealey,
Roy Mason and Sir John Hunt.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
(23 August, 1974)